THE principal of Worcester Sixth Form College is to retire after almost 25 years at the helm.

John Tredwell was appointed as the college's very first principal when it was founded in 1984 and has remained in the post ever since.

Now, after turning 60, he has decided to call it a day and spend more time with his family. Mr Tredwell will leave the college in August 2008. His role has been advertised in the Times Educational Supplement with a salary of £80,000 a year.

"I have had a wonderful time at the college, watching it grow over the years," he said. "I was here from the very start and I am very proud of the achievements we have made here."

The college was founded following reorganisation of the eight secondary modern schools in Worcester and Martley into six co-educational comprehensive schools for pupils aged 11-16 years. At that time the city boys' grammar school had become independent - now the current Royal Grammar School and Alice Ottley School - and the next year Worcester Grammar School for Girls became Worcester Sixth Form College.

The college now boasts over 1,600 full time students and 750 part-time students, offering a wide range of academic and vocational courses.

Mr Tredwell, a father-of-three, was appointed as the Principal Designate at the college following his role as deputy principal at Itchen College in Southampton.

Over the years he has seen tens of thousands of students, from all over Worcestershire, pass through the college.

"I will be sad to leave," he said. "There are many things I would like to stay on for, but you have to call it a day at some point. There have been many huge changes in the college and education in general in my time and it has been an immensely interesting, and at times challenging role."

Mr Tredwell said he was now looking forward to spending more time travelling and with his family.

"There is no single factor to me deciding to retire, it's a combination of things," he added.